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Sophia Klein
UN Food Program to Close Southern Africa Office Following U.S. Aid Cuts
The UN’s World Food Program is closing its southern Africa office amid U.S. aid cuts due to the Trump administration’s policy changes. The WFP will consolidate operations in Nairobi while continuing support for vulnerable communities. The U.S. provided substantial funding to the WFP, accounting for half of its annual budget. The organization now faces challenges in light of reduced foreign aid and rising hunger in the region.
The United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP) announced the closure of its southern Africa office due to significant aid cuts from the Trump administration. Tomson Phiri, a spokesperson for the organization, stated that the WFP would combine its operations in southern and East Africa into a single regional office located in Nairobi, Kenya, thus closing the Johannesburg office.
Despite the office closure, Phiri emphasized that the WFP’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities remains unwavering. The agency is dedicated to ensuring its operations are effective and efficient in addressing the needs of those experiencing hunger. While specifics about the funding lost from USAID were not disclosed, it is reported that the WFP received $4.4 billion in U.S. assistance last year, accounting for approximately half of its total annual budget.
Following the Trump administration’s recent decision to terminate 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts, which affects approximately $60 billion in humanitarian aid worldwide, the impact on WFP has become more pronounced. This decision is particularly critical given that southern Africa experienced its worst drought in decades last year, affecting crop yields and placing 27 million people at risk of hunger. The WFP had previously called for $147 million in donations to aid those in need before the cuts began.
With a mission to provide food assistance to over 150 million individuals across 120 countries, the WFP has been recognized for its efforts, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020. Furthermore, its leadership has consistently been held by Americans, including the current executive director, Cindy McCain. Limited information is available regarding the overall effect of U.S. aid cuts on various U.N. agencies, which remain in the process of assessing their funding realities and the prospects for ongoing support.
The closure of the WFP’s southern Africa office highlights the significant impact of U.S. aid cuts, particularly following the Trump administration’s reductions in foreign aid. While the organization aims to maintain its support for vulnerable communities, the loss of funding poses challenges to its operations in the region. The ongoing assessment of the cuts’ implications underscores the critical need for international support in humanitarian efforts, particularly in response to crises such as drought and famine.
Original Source: www.zimlive.com
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